Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-16

forward, her mead on ner breast, lslSt Aslccp.
Even my young friend was nodding, and
felt my own eyes growing heavy and dun,
and almost before l knew IL / was sound
asleep.
/ awolSe once, for an instant and could
hardly recolcct whore was, but IL camo to
me soon. My friend was stil beside mo
and had placed an arm about me, or should
have tumbled to the floor. lie looked NJ mo
now with quiet smile, and feeling rcas-
sured again let my head droop against his
arms and fell fast asleep. have often won
dercd since then IL no unscon spirit whis-
pcred TO him Of the part that tho sleeping
child ut his side should play In his life, or
how all their lives their fortunes should DO
lntermingled. Doubtless such thought
never crossed his mind. lie was kind to tho
friendess child from mere good-hcartcd-
ness, nothing more.
How long slept / do not know was
awakened by some one shaking mo roughly
by the arm. l started up TO find Miss Ar
mund standing over mo looking, ~ the dim
uncertain light Of carly dawn, more grim
and ugly than ever. l was alone in tho
seat My young friend and his party wore
all gone; they had left tho train while /
slept. Ilearned afterwards that when he
must go he had called Miss Armund to
take his place, saying / was tired and
sleepy, and he dislikod to wake me.
felt q strange loneliness and fear when
knew he was gone, but swallowed my feel
ings us best could and obediently followed
theladies to handsome carriage that stood
waiting for them and into which u servant
assisted us, and we were soon rolling rap
idly toward home, for us such / now dcsig-
mated it. After half an hours drive, we
arrived at what suppose was an entrance
way. A porter swung open q heavy iron
gate and the carriage swept upa beautiful
avenue bordered with trees, and finally
stopped before the house, or manslon-a
massive pile Of bricks surrounded on oil
sides by broad verandah's or porticos. A
flight 0f marble steps led IN 10 tho front
entrance, and tho pillars supporting the
piazza were OF the finest and most delicate
specimens Of architecture.
We assembled the steps, and Mrs. Clayton
rang the bell. A servant admitted US and
led the way to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS sit
ting-room whore the ladies' removed their
wraps but Mrs. Clayton gave me in charge
of domestic, who conducted me TO pretty
room on the ground floor in the rear part Of
the house.
sYou're tired, miss" said the maid, kind
w. "You can rest here till brealfast-time. "
She removed my hat and sacque as she
spoke and then, showing nc the bathroom
and toilet accessories, she loft me alone.
bathed my face, combed and braided my
hair and brushed my teeth, as l had been
accustomed to do at the home, and then,
having nothing else to do, l drew chair to
the window and sat down to wait for the re-
appearance OF the maid. While sitting here
my attention was drawn TO two children,
boys who were in company with large dog
racing up and down the lawn q short dis
tance from the house. One was dark
faced lad Of perhaps twelve years. knew
at once that he was Mrs Clayton's son, the
resemblance was so great. But the other
child Iyas much younger, not moro than five
years Old, and fair with light curling hair.
sit must be they have no little girls" /
said to myself; "that is tho reason they
have adopted me-"
Just here the maid entered, brislly.
swell, little miss, ready for BREAKFAST"
she said, cheerilyi "but, If you please, what
is your nome'p
"Dorcas Lynn,m answered.
"Thank ye, miss, mine is Maggie Mitch |
ell, and Mrs. Clayton sent me TO fetch ye |
down to breakfast
So saying she led the way TO the break |
fast-room. II was large, lofty room;
and the table, at which the family were |
already seated, was glittering with cut |
glass and silver There were at the |
table Mrs. Clayton, her husband, stolid, |
man of fifty, perhaps, Miss Ar
mund, the two boys had seen in the gar
den, and little girl Of about my own age, |
thought, though / aftcrward discovered |
that she and her brother were twins;
she was two years my senior. But
she was certainly the most strikingly-hand-
some child had ever seen. To me, in fact,
she looked as / ruight have imagined an
angel would. She was fair as the lily, with |
o soft, rose tint in either check; her hair |
was golden as sunbeam, her eyes blue as |
the sky in June, and her lips like wet coral |
She was seated near her mother, and gave |
me cold stare of Indifference when l took |
my place beside hor. No one spoke: the |
very air seemed oppressive. Taken alto |
gcthcr, ID was a most uncomfortable meal,
and ! felt glad when it was ended.
Tho children Immediately Withdrew when
was over. / remained standing
by Miss ArInund, hardly knowing what TO
do Mr.. Clayton arose, and placing his
hands in his pockets, regarded mo In q
questioning manner for few moments,
and then asked: "What is this child here
for, Lenaln
"His tone was more the one OF servant |
addressing master than that of a husband |
addressing wife, l thought.
Mrs. Clayton flushed nngrily at the ques-
ton, but her voice was steady enough when |
she answered him.
"She is protege OF my friend, Miss
Armund,n she said.
"Ohl OH yes; very fine one, Miss
Armund," he said, suavely.
''Thanl YOU" was Miss Armund's chilly |
reply,
eyes, yes, ma'ami not at all,n and taking |
his hat, he hastily left the room,
Again strange stiffness fell upon us. |
Mrs. Clayton had risen and gone TO the win
dow, where she stood idly beating
against tho panes with her white
jeweled fingers. Miss Armund sat still and
grave, the hard lines around her mouth
harder and grimmer than ever. She clasped
her large, bony hands together and looked |
like one who struggled with great passion
Of hate or rcmorse, but her face cleared at
last. A look Of deep determination took
the place Of the frown upon her features |
She broke the oppressive silence in her |
usually quick, abrupt way.
~ am going now, Lena" she said, "but |
want to say to you before / go that 1 have
brought this child here for the purpose OF |
educating and taking care Of her. l wish |
you TO treat her as you treat your own chill |
dren. Allow her the same privileges you |
allow them, and am content 1t ISL she
continued, thoughtfully, shut q small recon |
pense for the wrong done her, but it viii
suffice Carry out my instructions and you
need do no more; but ! wish them carried
out, mind YOU" and her voice grew stern |
"You understand me, Lenal"
Mrs, Clayton had turned from the window |
ut Miss Armunds first words, and 70 |
manned quiet md attentive to what she was
saying. Her face betrayed no expression
but that Of extreme Indifference; but Of
Miss Armund's question; "Do you under
stand me, Lenal" she raised her head and
answered, coldly;
"Your instructions shall be regarded |
Miss Armund."
"Very WELL Tell James to get the car
riage. will DO ready in moment. can
not Just say when l will come again, in
answer to Mrs. Clayton's polite invitation,
which Leould not help thinking was given
under protest
A -. n. 4